Unbelievable buildings

Architectural destinations: Some extraordinary buildings around the world

Would you cross an ocean just to stand near these buildings? Many travelers do. Whether it's for their mystery, as with the Giza Pyramids, or because of their convention-defying flamboyance, like Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia, tourists rarely regret the visit. Let’s explore some of the world’s mind-blowing structures that have become destinations in their own right.

Few architectural achievements inspire as much awe as the Giza Pyramids. Rising in the desert just outside Cairo, these were built more than 4,500 years ago. Even today, scholars debate exactly how the ancient Egyptians managed to construct these structures using over two million stone blocks.

Visitors can still walk inside parts of the Great Pyramid of Giza, the largest of them, and navigate the narrow corridors that lead toward the king’s chamber.

If a building has been under construction for over 140 years, you can rest assured it is worth visiting. Antoni Gaudí’s still-unfinished masterpiece is one of the most recognizable churches in the world. Construction began in 1882, and even then, its intricate towers, dazzling stained-glass windows, and Art Nouveau-inspired design were groundbreaking, to say the least.

Paris’ most iconic structure was originally built for the 1889 World’s Fair. This 1,083-foot iron structure shocked the Parisians when it was erected. Many even signed petitions to dismantle it, calling the structure an "eyesore," because it contrasted sharply with the rest of the city’s Haussmannian architecture.

Eventually, though, the city fell in love with it. Today, it attracts millions of visitors each year, who take elevators to its observation levels and marvel at its engineering.

Did you know that this unique design was chosen after an international competition? Yes, the competition was launched in 1955, and the winner was the Danish architect Jørn Utzon.

Those white "sails" rising over Sydney Harbour have become one of the most easily recognizable buildings in the world. The Opera House opened in 1973 and quickly became a global icon. Its roof is made from over a million ceramic tiles arranged in elegant, shell-like curves.

This skyscraper is the tallest building ever constructed—to date, that is. Its sleek, tapering design helps it withstand strong desert winds. Dubai’s tower, with its futuristic look, has become a symbol of 21st-century engineering.

Its scale is difficult to comprehend. It is more than twice as tall as New York’s Empire State Building, and nearly three times the height of Paris’ Eiffel Tower.

One of India’s most famous landmarks, the Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It was constructed to honor his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and now it contains the burial chambers of both Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.

Often called the most beautiful building in the world, the Taj Mahal is celebrated for its perfect symmetry, elegant domes, and delicate stone appearance. Plus, the romantic love story behind it only helps to promote a visit.

One simple image raises so many questions: "Is the water flowing out of the house? How did they build anything over an existing waterfall? This must be a very recent construction done with modern technology."

The famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed Fallingwater directly over a waterfall in 1935. Of course, its cantilevered terraces, seemingly suspended in the midst of nature, made it revolutionary for its time. Many consider it one of the greatest architectural accomplishments of the early 20th century.

Built in 1869 in the Bavarian Alps, Neuschwanstein Castle looks like it belongs in a storybook—or a theme park. After all, it inspired the design of Disneyland’s iconic castle. Nearly 1.5 million visitors travel there each year to admire its romantic towers, spires, and limestone walls.

Built in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument ever constructed. The temple complex in Cambodia covers nearly 400 acres.

Its iconic towers and the overall layout symbolize Mount Meru, a sacred mountain in Hindu cosmology. The walls are covered with thousands of intricate stone carvings depicting mythological battles and royal processions.

Doesn’t this look like it belongs in a superhero cartoon? Perched dramatically above Guanabara Bay, across the water from Rio de Janeiro, the museum was designed by legendary Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and completed in 1996.

People visit this museum for its contemporary exhibitions, futuristic architecture, and the sweeping views it offers of the Brazilian bay.